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Are food allergies a disability?

There was a show on the cooking channel talking about food allergies. It mentioned how some schools treated food allergies as a disability and had special staff members to work with those that have food allergies. So, do you think there are any cases where allergy should be treated as a disability? Does it matter what the allergy is or how severe it is?

One definition of disability.

A physical or mental condition that limits a person's movements, senses, or activities.

I think a disability is whatever a parent/medical professional says that it is. Blame the litigious nature of our society. What disability trumps another? Just like with the disabled placards...I doubt schools are going to fight these guidelines/parameters.

We might all disagree but that's the way our system is set up- always guarding against the potential lawsuit. It seems that common sense is generally ignored.

For elementary aged children, 11 and younger, I see the practicality in having a staff member available to help with lunch or any in class party where food is served, etc, say the school nurse or lunch personnel.

After that, hopefully a child's parents have stressed the importance and instilled the responsibility into the child with the allergy, and the child can monitor the food intake themselves.

If you have a severe allergy, it can kill you. You have to be careful, take certain steps normal people without the severe allergy don't even THNK about. If an allergy is severe enough to kill you, I say it is a disability.

I am not sure if all food allergies or intolerances are considered a disability ..I guess it depends on how severe the reaction is.. I have celiac disease and from what I under stand it is considered a disability. though i do not collect disability or PA .. but being exposed to even a tiny bit if gluten is very debilitating for me..it can cause me to be extremely sick for 10 days to 2 weeks.. I am a sahm but it would be difficult to work outside the home with this.

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